The pope, breaking with the Vatican? That would be like President Obama breaking with the Executive branch of government. (Well, maybe that's a bad analogy.)

Pope Francis was stating, in conversational terms, how every Christian should view any person. His rhetorical question asks, "What makes me so special, that I can judge another?" This merciful attitude is the meat of Matthew 7, which goes on to advise us to tend to our own issues and not concern ourselves with other people's business. You know, stop worrying about a speck in your neighbor's eye when there's a plank in your own. If you haven't read Matthew's gospel, chapter 7, I say give it a go. You don't need to be Catholic, or even Christian, to get the benefits from it. It's hard-hitting stuff that speaks to each of us in plain language.

The gospel's call to compassion doesn't change the fact that the Catholic Church clearly teaches that homosexual acts are sinful. This is not a discriminatory doctrine towards gays; heterosexual acts are equally sinful if they occur outside of marriage. That's just a fact.

So although his tone and manner are gentler, the pope is by no means taking a new direction. He's going by The Book. The source document, the gospel, is nearly two thousand years old. This timeless instruction is from Jesus himself. It boils down to the fact that there is right, and there is wrong. Gay or straight, every human being has sinned. So let's each of us take care of our own mess, and let the other guy take care of his. That's basically all Pope Francis was saying,

We’re so happy for you, Bob. And just who is going to run the financially-challenged city while you take time out to address your sick pathologies? You are barred from solitary meetings with female City attorneys, a fact that translates into you being incapable of doing your job. Do you really think you’ll survive a recall election? Are you really going to impose that disgraceful expense on San Diego, also? Of course you are. You’re a perverted thug with no concept of decency. Although I’m very glad that I didn’t vote for you, as a San Diego taxpayer I’m the big loser right along with the rest of the city.

These two disgraceful public officials, at opposite sides of the country, epitomize everything that’s wrong with the current state of our government, society, and culture. The politicians are out for themselves and no one else. Most citizens, too consumed with trying to survive from one paycheck to the next, have tuned out of the news. Many more have simply learned to expect bad behavior from those in public office. Still others have been so influenced by our “anything goes” social climate that they don’t see the big deal about lechery, uncontrolled sexual obsession, or lack of personal responsibility and accountability. The continuing dual scandals are truly a sad commentary on our times.

I don’t know where all of this is going, but I do know that when so-called “leaders” can behave in such an appalling manner and not face overwhelming demands that they step down, our country is in very serious trouble.

Monday, July 22, 2013

Royal babies across the pond are all well and good, but we've got big troubles to deal with over here in the colonies. In the wake of Detroit's bankruptcy, here's a link to some shocking facts about the once-great Motor City.

It a frightening thought, but Detroit might be only the first domino to fall. The equation is very simple. Fewer taxpayers + unyielding unions + more government = not enough revenue coming in to cover pensions, infrastructure, and basic services. The sad results of this disastrous formula could be coming soon to many cities across the country, including my own.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Even at a pivotal moment in world history, the media can't get a clue on reporting a real story. Egypt is exploding with political strife, yet all the network news want to yammer on about is a murder trial and a plane crash, with an occasional dash of immigration angst thrown in for variety. And, of course, breaking news on the Kardashians at any interval.

I'm about ready to cancel my cable television subscription. If I can't find news of incalculable global significance being covered, why am I paying good money for "news" stations?

No matter how the highly volatile situation unfolds, the outcome of what's happening right now in Egypt will affect the rest of all of our lives--probably our children's lives, also. Don't you think, as I do, that perhaps "journalists" might be able to figure that out?

Thursday, July 04, 2013

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government....

Read the full text for the list of grievances against the king, and think about current events in our government. The striking parallels in the clash between the People and their ruler will give any American who is serious about our fundamental rights pause for deep thought.

About Me

My kids, daughter Kristine, son Matt, daughter-in-law Nicole, son-in-law Joe, grandsons Nico and Hunter and granddaughters Aubrey and Aleena are the best gifts in my life. My family, friends, and dog, Riga, round out my blessings.
In 2003, I published a book,
Working Over Time. A free preview is at www.authorhouse.com, also at www.amazon.com.